The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe women’s sevens team coach Derek Chiwara says Manicaland province has a lot of talent that needs exposure to be well utilised.
In an interview with Post Sports, Chiwara said the province had contributed the biggest number of players in the training squad.
SAHUMANI Secondary School in Honde Valley continues to defy the odds after contributing a total of six players to the national Sevens squad.
The list of the six includes Lorraine Nyagumbo, Cathrine Muranganwa, Maybe Hambira, Mary Dirwa, Velma Nyaumwe and Agnes Rori.
There is also Jestina Ncube from Dangamvura High School, Nicole Kandemwa and Tanaka Kahari (both from Mutare Girls High School) in the national Sevens squad.
Sahumani made their debut at the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival in 2017.
In 2018, the team put up a commendable performance at the festival resulting in the selection of Catherine Muranganwa, Mavis Zunga, Mary Birwa, Privilege Mabhozhera and Fortunate Nyamavanga to be part of the Zimbabwe girls’ Under-18 team that took part in the Craven Week in South Africa the same year.
The school was also rated among the top five in the country after walking away with four shields
Zimbabwe women’s Sevens team coach Derek Chiwara says Manicaland province has a lot of talent that needs exposure to be well utilised.
In an interview with Post Sports, Chiwara said the province had contributed the biggest number of players in the training squad.
Chiwara conducted trials nationwide ahead of the second edition of the annual Hermanus Women’s Rugby 7s tournament.
The tournament will be hosted by South Africa on February 22. Zimbabwe’s lady Cheetahs will join South African teams and Mozambique at the tourney.
“I was moving around conducting trials for the Sevens team. I was really touched by the commitment, talent and passion Manicaland girls showed. The turnout was good. There were 80 girls, the bulk of them from Sahumani. The girls are full of passion with the little resources that they have. Manicaland contributed more players to the squad. I selected a total of 43 players. We will be picking from these players the whole year depending on the level of their fitness,” he said.
Chiwara said his girls were more than ready for the Hermanus tournament.
In last year’s edition, the Lady Cheetahs did not disappoint as they finished second. This time around he is looking forward to even better results.
“Finishing second last year was a good result. This year I am looking forward to better results. We are going out there to play and win,” he said.
Chiwara was appointed Lady Cheetahs coach last year.
He has coached several junior national teams and enjoyed domestic success with Old Hararians Sports Club, Harare Sports Club and Old Georgians Dragons.
He was with the Lady Cheetahs team that lost 36-5 to Kenya in the quarter-finals of the Olympic qualifiers.
